Accumulating roller conveyor

Abstract

An accumulating roller may be fabricated by driving a plurality of free rollers by means of a continuous belt which makes a frictional contact with the free rollers. Frictional contact between the belt and the free rollers may be enhanced by a plurality of pressure rollers disposed on the opposite side of the belt. Each end of the free rollers may be rotatably coupled to a frame by means of an eccentric linkage. The rotational coupling between the linkage and the frame is at a point which is offset and above the axis of rotation of each of the free rollers. The free roller rotates from a first position to a second position which is displaced somewhat above the first position. When displaced in the second position, the free roller makes insufficient frictional contact with the driving belt and substantially all rotational motion on the free rollers ceases.

I claim: 
     
       1. a roller conveyor for conveying an object comprising: a frame;   a plurality of free rollers having a first axis of rotation;   a first pin aligned along said first axis of rotation and extending from each end of each free roller;   linkage means rotatably coupled each of said plurality of free rollers to said frame about a second axis of rotation substantially parallel and offset from said first axis of rotation of said free rollers and located between said first axis and said object, said linkage means including an eccentric member having one end rotatably coupled to said first pin and the other end of said eccentric member formed into a second pin aligned along said second axis of rotation and rotatably coupled to said frame; and   means for selectively imparting rotational force to each of said free rollers disposed on said frame, said means frictionally coupled to said plurality of free rollers.   
     
     
       2. The conveyor claim 1 further comprising: stop means for selectively arresting motion of said object while said object is in contact with at least one of said free rollers.   
     
     
       3. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively imparting a rotary force to each of said free rollers includes: a continuous belt having a first surface in contact with each of said free rollers at least when said belt drives said free rollers;   a plurality of pressure rollers, each pressure roller rotatably coupled to said frame and in contact with a second surface of said continuous belt, said second surface opposing said first surface of said continuous belt; and   means for moving said belt in contact with said free rollers and pressure roller.   
     
     
       4. The conveyor of claim 3 further comprising means for adjusting frictional contact between said pressure rollers, free rollers and said belt.